A Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial of Fluvoxamine for Symptomatic Individuals With COVID-19 Infection

Washington University School of Medicine152 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this research study is to determine if a drug called fluvoxamine can be used early in the course of the COVID-19 infection to prevent more serious complications like shortness of breath. Fluvoxamine is an anti-depressant drug approved by the FDA for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder. The use of fluvoxamine for the treatment of COVID-19 is considered investigational, which means the US Food and Drug Administration has not approved it for this use. This study is fully-remote, which means that there is no face-to-face contact; study materials including study drug will be shipped to participants' houses. Only residents of Missouri and Illinois may participate.

We will consent approximately 152 participants, age 18 and older, who have tested tested positive for COVID-19 and are currently experiencing mild symptoms. All interactions for this study will be conducted remotely by videoconferencing, email, or phone. Screening: All participants will first complete a pre-screen to see if they may be eligible for the study. Once a participant is confirmed eligible and consented, the study team will send the study materials. These materials will consist of study medication and self-monitoring equipment, including a pregnancy test (for females of childbearing age not using contraception), an oxygen saturation monitor, blood pressure monitor, and thermometer. Once the study team has finalized the screening process, the participant will begin taking the study medication. RCT: Participants will be randomly assigned (1:1) to take either fluvoxamine or a placebo. This phase of the study will last approximately 15 days and is double-blinded. Participants will take 100mg of fluvoxamine or placebo by mouth three times a day for a daily total of 300mg. They will continue this dose for approximately 15 days. Depending on tolerability, the dose may be adjusted. Participants will also complete short 10-15 minute assessments daily to assess symptoms, results of self-monitoring (including oxygen level, blood pressure, and temperature) and any adverse events. Open-label Phase: After completing the randomization phase, participants will then participate in an open-label phase (participant will definitely receive fluvoxamine) that will last up to 15 days. Those randomized to placebo will have the opportunity to try fluvoxamine during this time. Those randomized to fluvoxamine will continue this medication while slowly decreasing the drug. The participant may opt out of this phase. The dosage during this time will be 50-100mg two times daily until discontinuing the drug. Follow-up Phase: We will follow participants for approximately 30 days after the end of the randomized phase. If needed, the study team will review medical records to determine the clinical course of participants.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: 1. men and woman age 18 and older; 2. Not hospitalized; 3. Has recently tested SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19 virus) positive. 4. Currently symptomatic with one or more of one or more of the following symptoms: fever, cough, myalgia, mild dyspnea, diarrhea, vomiting, anosmia (inability to smell), ageusia (inability to taste), sore throat. 5. Able to provide informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Illness severe enough to require hospitalization or already meeting study's primary endpoint for clinical worsening. 2. Unstable medical comorbidities including, but not limited to: Severe underlying lung disease (COPD on home oxygen, interstitial lung disease, pulmonary hypertension), decompensated cirrhosis, Congestive heart failure (stage 3 or 4 per patient report and/or medical records). 3. Immunocompromised (solid organ transplant, BMT, AIDS, on biologics and/or high dose steroids (\>20mg prednisone per day) 4. Unable to provide informed consent (eg moderate-severe dementia diagnosis) 5. Unable to perform the study procedures

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Number of Participants Who Met Clinical Worsening

Clinical worsening is defined meeting both of the following: (1) presence of dyspnea and/or hospitalization for shortness of breath or pneumonia, plus (2) decrease in O2 saturation (\<92%) on room air and/or supplemental oxygen requirement in order to keep O2 saturation \>92%.

Time frame: RCT (approximately 15 days)

Secondary Outcomes

Clinical Deterioration on a Likert-type Scale (0-6)

(0) none; (1) moderate severity of illness as defined by O2 saturation \<92% but no supplemental oxygen requirement; (2) O2 saturation plus supplemental oxygen requirement; (3) O2 saturation \<92% plus hospitalization (related to dyspnea/hypoxia); (4) the above, plus ventilator support requirement; (5) the above, plus ventilator support for at least 3 days; (6) death.